🇮🇹 @AlbertoBettiol attacks 🇦🇺 @blingmatthews but can't quit distance him! 🇮🇹 @AlbertoBettiol attaque 🇦🇺 @blingmatthews, mais a du mal à le distancer ! #TDF2022
Alberto Bettiol "disappointed, but happy" happy just barely missing out on Tour de France victory
CyclingSunday, 17 July 2022 at 08:30
Alberto Bettiol was an outsider for today's hilly stage in the Tour de France, however he got beaten by Michael Matthews after a tight and dramatic battle on the slopes of the Côte de la Croix Neuve in Mende.
“It took a lot of energy to get into the leading group. Sometimes you sit on the bike for five hours and lose the victory in a few seconds," Bettiol told reporters at the line in the Mende aerodrome. The heavily disputed breakaway saw him and teammates Rigoberto Urán and Neilson Powless join the front group. The Italian was perhaps the lesser quality climber out of those, however was by far EF Education-EasyPost's strongest card on the day.
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“He [Matthews] did exactly what I did a few days ago, and he made it. On the climb to the finish a few days ago, I didn't make it when it started 52 kilometers before the finish," Bettiol said. When the moves started the American team had to be one of the lineups chasing in the group behind, with Bettiol himself putting in some digs in the penultimate climb to try and reduce the gap.
He seemed to be working in the group towards Urán's chances, however as soon as the final climb started he went off the front of the group and was the only rider who managed to bridge across to Michael Matthews.
“I came to him two kilometers before the end. I personally didn't think he had the legs to ride me off. But I heard in my ear that my team leader said: 'Try to unload him'. Just like I did in the Giro once, with Cavagna [in 2021, stage 18]," he said. "But I came across a very strong Matthews. He deserved it, I must say that again. I also have to thank Rigo, Neilson and the whole team for giving me the opportunity.”
“I think Matthews deserves this win, but I promised everyone – especially everyone in the team, including the staff – that I would make a big effort to get us another win. I am disappointed for myself, for them, for the people who believe in me. But the Tour isn't over yet and I'm going to try again... I am disappointed, but happy," he concluded.
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Tomorrow's stage into Carcassonne will be another opportunity for the Italian to succeed, now that he's reached his best form.
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